Patisserie Valerie buys Paul’s transport outlets

Patisserie Valerie has acquired seven sites based at London railway stations from rival retail bakery business Paul.

The Birmingham-based BB75 retailer, part of Patisserie Holdings, revealed it had taken over the former Paul sites, previously operated on a franchise basis with contract caterers Elior, on 1 March.

It includes locations such as Euston, Marylebone, Paddington, Waterloo and Victoria, in addition to two outlets in St Pancras.

Paul May, chief executive of Patisserie Valerie, said: “The inclusion of these new takeaway stores in seven prime locations in London is a significant development for us as a company, as it will see thousands of visitors who are not familiar with the Patisserie Valerie brand now being introduced to the fantastic, freshly made products on display at our stores, on a daily basis.”

Patisserie Valerie, owned by Risk Capital, said it had increased its estate by over 50% in the last two years, with more than 100 shops and the launch of its first site in Scotland during the last 12 months.

May added: “The last 12 months has seen some significant achievements for us. Incredibly, despite being in a time of economic crisis, we have continued to bring investment and new jobs to the UK’s high streets, and reaching this milestone is a brilliant achievement.”

Patisserie Valerie saw turnover rise by almost a quarter to £49.5m in the year to 30 September 2012.

Read more about the move in British Baker's 8 March issue of the magazine.